Season/MonthPrioritiesAdditional DetailsFall
August
• Research colleges
• Familiarize yourself with the admissions process
• Plan your extracurricular activities for the year
• How to Choose a College: Advice from Experienced Admissions Counselors
• College Admissions Tips
• Read more about extracurricular actitivies
September
• Meet with your school counselor to discuss college plans
• Sign up for the PSAT through your school if you plan on taking the PSAT
• Think about what you want to study in college
• Advanced summer planning – are you going to participate in an internship, a summer job, volunteering, etc.?
• Meeting with Your School Counselor
• Read more about taking the PSAT
• How to Choose a Major
• Tips for Finding a Summer Internship: Many competitive internship programs have application deadlines in the fall of junior year!
October
• Take the PSAT
• Prepare for the ACT and SAT. Plan out your test dates and a study routine to prepare throughout the year.
• CollegeBoard recommends taking the SAT for the first time in the Spring of junior year because that allows time for a retest in the Fall of senior year.
• Read more about taking the ACT and SAT
November
If you will be taking AP exams during junior year, confirm your registration for the AP Exams which are administered in May.
• Make sure to get in contact with your AP teacher or guidance counselor for AP Exam registration information.
• Confirm your AP exam registration here
WinterDecember
• Research scholarships
• Apply for eligible scholarships
It’s never too early to start thinking about scholarships. You can use your winter break to research scholarships you might want to apply to starting in the summer and throughout your senior year. Some scholarships are even open to juniors so you can also use this time to apply to any scholarships open to juniors.
January
If you are taking the ACT or SAT in the spring, make sure to register before the registration deadline.
• Click here for ACT test dates
• Click here for SAT test dates.
February
If you are taking the ACT or SAT in the spring, make sure to keep up with your study plan as the exams approach.
• Tips for Studying for the ACT and SAT
• How to Beat Procrastination When You Should Be Studying for the SAT/ACT
March
• March 11, 2023: Take the SAT if registered for the March test date
• Visit college campuses
If you plan on applying early in the fall of senior year, spring of junior year is a good time to visit colleges on your list.
April
• April 15, 2023: Take the ACT if registered for the April test
• Continue researching colleges and visiting campuses
• Ask a few teachers to write you a letter of recommendation
• Things to Consider On a Campus Tour
• Read More on College Tours
• How to Ask for Recommendation Letters
May
• May 6, 2023: Take the SAT if registered for the May test
• Take the AP Exam for any Advance Placement classes you are taking.
• Plan your senior year schedule
• Classes to take in High School
• Tips for Making Your Junior and Senior Schedule
Summer [throughout]
• Research application deadlines
• Prepare application materials
• Research scholarships
• Visit colleges on your list
• Begin drafting your college essays.
• For 2022-2023, The Common App essay prompts remain the same as last year.
• College Application Essay Tips
June
• June 3, 2023: Take the SAT if registered for the June test
• June 10, 2023: Take the ACT if registered for the June test
July
• July 15, 2023: Take the ACT if registered for the July test
Your junior year has come to an end and it is time to start thinking about the college application process as it will be approaching fast. Applying to college is often an overwhelming time for students and their families. There is much work to be done while continuing to juggle schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and other responsibilities through senior year.
We hope to alleviate some of your stress by providing this detailed, monthly timeline as you tackle the coming months.
Manage your time well, plan out your process and keep track of all deadlines. Organization is key and we encourage you to use a platform like excel to map out your plan for the application season.
College Application Monthly Timeline
Terms:
EA: Early Action
REA: Restrictive Early Action
ED Early Decision [options are ED1 and ED2]
SCEA Single Choice Early Action
June /July 2022
Create a resume.
Research scholarships.
Compile a college list.
July 18th ACT test [register by June 26]
Register by the 31 for the August SAT test
August 2022
August 1- The Common Application opens.
Begin writing your Common Application Personal Statement.
Research each school’s deadlines and requirements.
Register by the 14th for the September ACT test
August 29th SAT test
Register by the 26th for the September SAT test
September 2022
Secure all Letter of Recommendations.
Begin writing your EA/ED/REA supplemental essays.
September 12th ACT test
Register by the 18th for the October ACT test
September 26th SAT test
Register by the 3rd for October SAT test
October 2022
Request test scores be sent to ED/EA schools early in the month.
Submit EA/ED apps at least 5 days before deadline [deadline either 10/15 or 11/1]
Begin writing RD supplemental essays
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IF APPLYING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA begin writing insight questions.
October 3rd SAT test
October 24th ACT test
November 2022
ED Deadline, November 1
Prepare for ED interviews.
Work on ED II essays should you not get into your ED I school choice.
IF APPLYING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, submit your application by 11/15. Ensure test scores are sent to the UC system.
November 30th- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA deadline.
December 2022
EA/ED decisions released – mid-December [schools release decisions on different days].
If admitted to ED school, withdraw applications from all other schools.
If deferred, work on deferral Letter of Intent, showing continued interest and commitment.
If deferred or denied, work on ED II school.
Submit all RD applications by December 10.
Request test scores be sent to RD schools.
ED II Deadline, December 15.
January 2023
RD Deadline, January 1
Prepare for RD interviews.
February 2023
Make sure your counselor sends mid-year reports to all RD schools that require them.
ED II decisions released mid-month.
If admitted to ED school, withdraw applications from all other schools.
If deferred, work on deferral Letter of Intent, showing continued interest and commitment.
March 2023
RD decisions released.
If waitlisted, write waitlisted letter.
May 1st- National College Decision Day. Finalize your school decision if you have not already.